Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Persistent Sore Throat And Swollen Lymph Nodes
Question: Hello. I am writing because I am a litlle bit worried. Today is the 8-th day that I have a kind of sore throat that does not go away. I have had all the symptoms of a common cold at the beggining but bow this kind of pain is becoming very intense and it appears almost every 8 hours. I am not able to sleep since I wake in the middle of the night from the pain and because the left lymphonodes is swollen sometimes it makes difficult to eat and to breathe. i have visited the specialist and he told me that it is laringhities and it is not infected so he did kot prescrive me antibiotcs. Just ibrufen and nasal wash. The problem is that I am sceared of using medicine since I am affraid of allergic reactions. All this days I have taken tylel hot that is paracetamol, but I dont know for how many days should I take this. I have taken only 500 mg twice a day. Is it normal that this kind of situation can last for so many days? What can I do please help.
Brief Answer:
does not mean there is a serious problem, allergic reactions easily treated
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is understandable to be concerned over long term symptoms but it does not mean that there is a serious problem and possibility of reacting to new medications.
It is important to remember that if you have benadryl or another antihistamine at home, this would very effectively treat any allergic reaction that might occur.
Most persons do not have allergic reactions to common medications, this happens in the minority and if it does benadryl can help.
In terms of the throat, right now, you are using a very low dose of paracetamol for an adult, this would not be enough for an adult.
Ibuprofen would be better because it would help reduce inflammation/irritation in the throat. You can consider using the ibuprofen instead of the paracetamol.
In some persons, there is a drip of mucus to the back of the throat that can cause or worsen the sore throat, decongestants help this.
If the pain continues despite the ibuprofen or increased dose of the paracetamol, and the decongestant then you may need to see your doctor again to see if a bacterial infection (strep throat), is present and you need antibiotics
Sometimes, it is not immediately clear if an antibiotic is needed and a person needs to be seen again to be re assessed.
Summary: (1)if there is fever then it is not likely a bacterial infection but if it continues to be severe then you need to be seen again
(2)allergic medication reactions are not that common, most persons do not have allergic reactions to medications. An antihistamine would treat any reaction that occurs effectively eg benadryl
(3)mucus at the back of the throat can cause or worsen sore throat
(4)either increase the paracetamol since the dose is too little for an adult
OR use the ibuprofen since this reduces inflammation/irritation
(5)add a decongestant such as topical (to the nose only) otrivine or normal saline or oral decongestant such as pseudoephedrine or phenyephrine
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
does not mean there is a serious problem, allergic reactions easily treated
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is understandable to be concerned over long term symptoms but it does not mean that there is a serious problem and possibility of reacting to new medications.
It is important to remember that if you have benadryl or another antihistamine at home, this would very effectively treat any allergic reaction that might occur.
Most persons do not have allergic reactions to common medications, this happens in the minority and if it does benadryl can help.
In terms of the throat, right now, you are using a very low dose of paracetamol for an adult, this would not be enough for an adult.
Ibuprofen would be better because it would help reduce inflammation/irritation in the throat. You can consider using the ibuprofen instead of the paracetamol.
In some persons, there is a drip of mucus to the back of the throat that can cause or worsen the sore throat, decongestants help this.
If the pain continues despite the ibuprofen or increased dose of the paracetamol, and the decongestant then you may need to see your doctor again to see if a bacterial infection (strep throat), is present and you need antibiotics
Sometimes, it is not immediately clear if an antibiotic is needed and a person needs to be seen again to be re assessed.
Summary: (1)if there is fever then it is not likely a bacterial infection but if it continues to be severe then you need to be seen again
(2)allergic medication reactions are not that common, most persons do not have allergic reactions to medications. An antihistamine would treat any reaction that occurs effectively eg benadryl
(3)mucus at the back of the throat can cause or worsen sore throat
(4)either increase the paracetamol since the dose is too little for an adult
OR use the ibuprofen since this reduces inflammation/irritation
(5)add a decongestant such as topical (to the nose only) otrivine or normal saline or oral decongestant such as pseudoephedrine or phenyephrine
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your answer. To tell the truth I am affraid of anaphylaptic shock and that something bad can occur before I can arrive at the hospital. I am affraid not only taking medicine but either eating different food so I limit myself in foods that I know for certain that will not cause me problems. In fact after giving birth I have started experience this kind of problems since I was diagnosed with hashimoto. I dont know if there is a correlation.
In case any allergic reaction ocurrs, if I only take antihistamine, i am safe?
Regarding the sore throaght the inly problem is the swalling node that hurts. He told me ti take ibrufen 400 mg twice a day. Do you think I am safe if I use ibrufen tomorrow? Or if I feel safe while using paracetamol how much should I use daily.
Thank you very much .
In case any allergic reaction ocurrs, if I only take antihistamine, i am safe?
Regarding the sore throaght the inly problem is the swalling node that hurts. He told me ti take ibrufen 400 mg twice a day. Do you think I am safe if I use ibrufen tomorrow? Or if I feel safe while using paracetamol how much should I use daily.
Thank you very much .
Brief Answer:
should be fine to use
Detailed Answer:
HI
Anaphylactic shock tends to occur in persons who have been repeatedly exposed to something that they are allergic to.
The allergy response builds up with repeated and repeated exposure and this can cause anaphylaxis in some persons
Initially the person may have a rash or itching with first or second or third time use, continued use can cause anaphylaxis
This means that if you use a medication once, if there has been no previous allergic reaction, anaphylaxis will not occur.
If you have never used a medication before, anaphylaxis is not likely with first time use because the allergic response in the body has not had the time to build up.
If you do have an allergic reaction, you can use an antihistamine.
You can try the ibuprofen if : (1) you have not used it before--- anaphylaxis does not normally occur with one exposure
(2)you have used it before with no problem
If you used it before and had an allergic reaction (rash and itching), then you should not use it
Please feel free to ask anything else
should be fine to use
Detailed Answer:
HI
Anaphylactic shock tends to occur in persons who have been repeatedly exposed to something that they are allergic to.
The allergy response builds up with repeated and repeated exposure and this can cause anaphylaxis in some persons
Initially the person may have a rash or itching with first or second or third time use, continued use can cause anaphylaxis
This means that if you use a medication once, if there has been no previous allergic reaction, anaphylaxis will not occur.
If you have never used a medication before, anaphylaxis is not likely with first time use because the allergic response in the body has not had the time to build up.
If you do have an allergic reaction, you can use an antihistamine.
You can try the ibuprofen if : (1) you have not used it before--- anaphylaxis does not normally occur with one exposure
(2)you have used it before with no problem
If you used it before and had an allergic reaction (rash and itching), then you should not use it
Please feel free to ask anything else
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear doctor thank you again for the response. I feel more tranquille now that I am talking to you. Today I will take the ibubrofen. I have to ask another thing hoping not to bother you. I have read about the epligotes inffection. Is it possible to have this kind of infection? In fact i went to the orithonlod that has made a detailed visit and prescrived me ibrufen. I am asking if may it be tis kind of infection and he has not noticed?
Brief Answer:
not likely if no fever, shortness of breath or abnormal breathing sounds
Detailed Answer:
HI
No bother at all. Sorry about the delayed reply
Infection of the epiglottis can cause a sore throat and difficulty swallowing but in most cases there is also difficulties breathing with abnormal sounds made when trying to breath due to obstruction.
Fever is also a common symptom.
IN the absence of shortness of breath, abnormal breathing sounds and fever, it is not likely.
Can let me know, if you wish, if the ibuprofen is working for you
not likely if no fever, shortness of breath or abnormal breathing sounds
Detailed Answer:
HI
No bother at all. Sorry about the delayed reply
Infection of the epiglottis can cause a sore throat and difficulty swallowing but in most cases there is also difficulties breathing with abnormal sounds made when trying to breath due to obstruction.
Fever is also a common symptom.
IN the absence of shortness of breath, abnormal breathing sounds and fever, it is not likely.
Can let me know, if you wish, if the ibuprofen is working for you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you again. I had no fever at all, only the first day 37.8 centigrade, but this enlarged lypmhomodes in fact seems to me that something is stuck un the throat and at certan moment like i encaunter difficulty in breathing. I took ibrufen in the morning and if no allergic reaction ocurred, I guess that it is ok to use it for 4 days???
If it was infection of the epligottis, i guess the doctor should have noticed cause he made me a faringoscopy, right??
Can I take 500 mg of paracetamol in between the dosage of ibrufen, if I start having pain?
Thank you again
If it was infection of the epligottis, i guess the doctor should have noticed cause he made me a faringoscopy, right??
Can I take 500 mg of paracetamol in between the dosage of ibrufen, if I start having pain?
Thank you again
Brief Answer:
can use the paracetamol between the ibuprofen if needed
Detailed Answer:
HI
If there was an infection of the epiglottis , you would have persistent difficulty breathing/ would be short of breath and your breath sounds would be very harsh.
Your breathing would be very very audible because it would be difficult to get air through.
Since there was no reaction, you can continue the ibuprofen. In terms of the paracetamol, yes, you can use it between the ibuprofen.
can use the paracetamol between the ibuprofen if needed
Detailed Answer:
HI
If there was an infection of the epiglottis , you would have persistent difficulty breathing/ would be short of breath and your breath sounds would be very harsh.
Your breathing would be very very audible because it would be difficult to get air through.
Since there was no reaction, you can continue the ibuprofen. In terms of the paracetamol, yes, you can use it between the ibuprofen.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Doctor! Since I have begin taking ibrufen an I feel much better. Today is the 3-rd day and the pain is not the same but It still hurts and the lymphonode is getting little but it has not disapeard and the sore seems that is still red. The doctor has prescrived me 4 days of ibrufen and tomirrow is the last one. I am wondering if the pain has not totally gone than what should I do? Should I do some analysis? Or should I go on using ibrufen for some other days? d
Brief Answer:
can continue for 7 days
Detailed Answer:
HI
I am really glad that you are noticing improvement.
If the pain is still present after you complete the 4 day course, you can continue for another 3 days to reach 7 days but if it is still very bothersome after 7 days, then you should see your doctor for re assessment
can continue for 7 days
Detailed Answer:
HI
I am really glad that you are noticing improvement.
If the pain is still present after you complete the 4 day course, you can continue for another 3 days to reach 7 days but if it is still very bothersome after 7 days, then you should see your doctor for re assessment
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Doctor hello. I hope you are soing well. My sore throat has gone away but from teo days I have experinced a tongue and mouth sore that sometimes it is very persistent. It seems like I have damaged it by eating bone or something strong. It hurts when I speak or eat. I don' understand what it may be. When i see inside the places that hurts are parts where I can see capilars of blood.
Thank you very much for your help through all this time.
Thank you very much for your help through all this time.
Brief Answer:
add an antiseptic/pain killer spray/gargle
Detailed Answer:
HI
If there are small breaks in the skin of the mouth and the lining of the tongue then this can be treated with the pain killers along with topical medication to the mouth such as : (1)chloraseptic spray or gargle (2) diflam spray (3) covonia spray
These also have an antiseptic in the spray/gargle
Summary: Use your pain killer (ibuprofen) with one of these sprays/gargles
add an antiseptic/pain killer spray/gargle
Detailed Answer:
HI
If there are small breaks in the skin of the mouth and the lining of the tongue then this can be treated with the pain killers along with topical medication to the mouth such as : (1)chloraseptic spray or gargle (2) diflam spray (3) covonia spray
These also have an antiseptic in the spray/gargle
Summary: Use your pain killer (ibuprofen) with one of these sprays/gargles
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
